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VOL. 38 | NO. 16 | Friday, April 18, 2014
Bill makes changes to State Textbook Commission
NASHVILLE (AP) - Legislation that makes changes to the process for selecting books for public schools is headed to Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's desk.
Lawmakers in both chambers on Thursday agreed to minor changes made by a conference committee.
Currently, a 10-member textbook selection panel recommends its selections to the State Board of Education, and local school systems then choose which textbooks to adopt.
Criticism of the content of some books led to calls for a stronger public review process.
Under the legislation, the speakers and the governor would each make three appointments to the panel, as the Senate had proposed. The House had called for the speakers to make two appointments each to the panel and for the governor to appoint five.
The legislation also requires that history and fundamental documents be taught.